President Tsai celebrates king's birthday, independence in Swaziland

President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文, left) and King Mswati III

Mbabane, April 19 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) attended a ceremony on Thursday celebrating the 50th anniversary of Swaziland's independence and the 50th birthday of King Mswati III.

Perhaps the most important event of Tsai's four-day stay in Swaziland, the ceremony included nearly 10,000 people, many dressed in traditional Swazi attire.

Tsai was greeted by loud, passionate cheers after the emcee announced the arrival of the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The Presidential Office previously noted that Tsai would be presenting King Mswati III with five cows, customary gifts in the African kingdom and gifts from the Tamalakaw indigenous people of Taitung, including a special bell, a carved wooden shield, and a collection of folksongs.

While in Swaziland, the president has met with the king, high-ranking officials and Taiwanese businesspeople operating in southern Africa, to better understand the local situation and how Taiwan might provide greater assistance.

Tsai and her delegation will be leaving Swaziland, one of Taiwan's two diplomatic allies in Africa, on Friday and are expected to arrive back in Taiwan around noon on Saturday.